A/N: I don't own Harry Potter or any related characters
This is for the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Assignment #3 Etymology Task #7: Harp/Harping (Harpy - Grecian creature that carried and tortured people who were on their way to Tartarus.): Write about a female quidditch player.
word count: 794
Narcissa heard her new daughter-in-law before she saw her. Ginny's laugh filled the manor, somehow reaching every room. Miss Weasley would not have been Narcissa's first, second, or even last pick for her son, but Draco had made up his mind.
"She cares about me, Mum, not about the family name, not about the money, the properties, or the fame. She loves me," he'd argued when she'd brought up the subject about how serious the couple was starting to get. Narcissa realized then and there that Draco had made up his mind.
"In that case," she said, pulling out a burgundy velvet box. "This belonged to your grandmother, Druella. She passed it on to me after her death," she explained, pressing the box into Draco's hand. "It was her engagement ring. I understand if you do not wish to accept it, to find something you feel is more fitting-"
Draco interrupted her by throwing his arms around her in a tight hug. Narcissa was slow to return it, not used to such affection from her son. The war had changed them so much, brought them closer.
"I happily accept it, Mum. Thank you for your blessing."
"I only have one request, Draco, before you ask the young lady, I would like to at least meet her and not in the middle of a battle?"
Draco's face broke into a wide smile.
"You're right. I haven't brought Ginny around, I was afraid of how you'd react. Dinner, on Tuesday?" he suggested.
"Perfect, I will let the elves know. Wait, she's not the girl who tried to start the whole elf revolution, is she?"
"No, that was Hermione, and it wasn't an revolution, no, Ginny does not appear to have a problem with house elves."
Narcissa could hear Draco's voice, then Ginny's, but she couldn't make out what they were saying. While they didn't live in the manor, instead having settled into one of the smaller Malfoy properties, they were frequently visitors. Narcissa headed down the stairs towards the main lobby, knowing that's where she'd find the couple. When she got there, she hid the disgust that both of them were covered in mud, dirt and were currently dripping water on the gilded tile floor.
"Don't worry, Mum, we'll get cleaned up before dinner. Ginny wanted to fly here, so we did. Ran into a bit of a storm," Draco explained, drawing his wand and vanishing the mess.
"Ginny's got tickets for the game, box seats if you want to join me," Draco offered. Narcissa blinked. She'd never been a huge fan of professional Quidditch games. They were overcrowded, with people showing off some of their worst behavior. Ginny and Draco had only been married a month when she'd accepted a chaser position with the Harpies. Narcissa had found it hard to believe the girl wanted to work, but Draco had explained it wasn't about the money, it was about the thrill. Narcissa had smiled, thinking about the first time Lucius had taken her up on a broom. It wasn't common for girls to fly then. It had been thrilling, the world rushing by, the wind in her hair.
"I'd love to join you," Narcissa had answered, surprised at the words coming from her mouth. She'd found she couldn't dislike Ginny no matter how hard she tried to hold onto her old ideals. She saw a lot of herself in the younger witch, and it was quite obvious she was indeed a good match for Draco.
"We have something we'd like to tell you," Ginny said, passing the bowl of broccoli to Draco.
"Oh? Did the Harpies make the championship this year?"
"No, well, maybe, there's still two more games to go, but we are the favorite to win. No, this is bigger than that," Ginny said with a smile. She reached over and took Draco's hand.
"Mum, Ginny and I are expecting," Draco said, looking at Narcissa.
"I'm going to be a grandmother!" she exclaimed, nearly knocking over her drink as she jumped from her seat to hug her son and daughter-in-law.
"Yes, you're the first person we've told so far, so if you could, maybe keep it a bit of a secret until we've at least told Ginny's parents?" Draco asked.
"Of course," Narcissa stated, regaining her composure, although it was still obvious she was beyond thrilled with the news. "You will be continuing the Black family tradition of celestial names?"
"We're still discussing names, but we are taking that tradition into consideration," Ginny answered. Narcissa nodded. That was the best she could hope for, knowing how Draco and Ginny did prefer to forge their own path. Still, she knew she'd love her grandchild no matter what they were called, they would be family.